THE BLOG; Consumer Reports Pans the Civic

By JOHN PEARLEY HUFFMAN

Published: August 7, 2011

Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, sends out a news release each month summarizing the automotive evaluations of the coming month's issue. Rarely does the release generate significant attention, let alone a media scrum, but on Monday a preview of the magazine's September issue contained a bombshell: the 2012 Honda Civic LX sedan scored so poorly during testing that the car did not make the magazine's Recommended list.

Previous versions of the Civic were Consumer Reports' highest rated small sedans and were named Top Picks in five of the last 10 years. Under the magazine's methodology, the previous generation Civic EX sedan
(a 2006 model) scored ''a very good 78.''

The 2012 Civic LX dropped down to ''a mediocre 61,'' finishing next-to-last in a test of 12 small sedans. Only the redesigned Volkswagen Jetta scored lower.

While failing to earn a Recommended nod is notable, it is not unprecedented. Last year, the magazine quietly dropped the Civic from its Recommended list because Honda offered electronic stability control only on the three most expensive versions of the Civic: the EX-L with leather upholstery, the Hybrid and the performance-oriented Si. Stability control wasn't available on more keenly priced DX, LX, GX and EX models, which comprised the bulk of Civic sales.

''Why they didn't put such a wonderful safety feature on all those cars is beyond me,'' said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center in East Haddam, Conn. Federal regulations require all 2012 model year new cars be equipped with electronic stability control, and all 2012 Honda Civics are so equipped.

Consumer Reports does not borrow vehicles from manufacturers' press fleets for its testing, but buys new cars from dealers. The testing staff, however, does drive some press fleet vehicles for context and familiarization.

The testers criticized the updated Civic LX for losing its once-prized agility and having a ''choppy ride.'' The newest Civic was also knocked for substandard braking performance and ''pronounced road noise.'' More pointedly, the magazine took Honda to task for the car's poor interior quality relative to its predecessor.

Mr. Champion confirmed, however, that the magazine bought a cheaper, less lavishly equipped LX model rather than another big-ticket EX, the model tested in 2006 when the magazine gave the Civic its Top Pick ranking. The '06 EX was equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and wore 205/55R16 tires on alloy wheels, a combination shared by the 2012 Civic EX -- a detail withheld from Monday's release. The 2012 LX, on the other hand, has disc brakes in front and drum brakes at the rear, and it rolls on narrower 195/65R15 tires wrapped around steel wheels.

Mr. Champion defended the magazine's purchase decision in terms of cost, noting that ''the LX is the biggest seller in the range.''

''When we looked at small sedans, they were all priced under the $20,000 mark,'' he said. ''The Civic EX is around $21,000. At that price you can buy a Hyundai Sonata.'' The Sonata is a midsize entry from Hyundai that competes more directly with Honda's more upmarket Accord.

''In a broad sense we disagree with Consumer Reports' findings,'' American Honda responded Monday in a statement. ''Without question, the small sedan segment is more competitive than ever. In virtually every way, the completely redesigned 2012 Civic is a step forward. The new Civic excels in areas that matter to small-car customers, including fuel efficiency, safety and reliability.''

When contacted, Honda representatives declined further comment.

This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.